As usual, there is always something going on around here. As a start, after Dad died, I offered to have Mom brought back from Florida to Oklahoma. She is a little isolated where she is now and I wanted to have her near me so I could be there for her anytime it was needed. I even found a good place for her to stay. I was told that she wanted to stay in Florida. Well, the offer will always be open if she changes her mind.
I had a really nice birthday with several people taking me out to eat; one breakfast and two dinners. I have really sweet friends and family. Made turning 64 that much nicer.
After all these years, I was able to be a part of a Bunco group. I’ve gotten to play twice so far and I really enjoy it. I knew I would from years ago when there were ladies that met at the Golden Corral when I worked there. Their hoots of laughter certainly had my attention.
There has been a major kitchen remodel going on in the kitchen portion of the community center where I work. As it shapes up, I can tell that it is going to be really nice. The building is not that large though and some of the noise of the construction made it difficult to work. One day, my co-worker and I just had to take the rest of the day off because of the concrete being broken up for a new drain system. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.
I had slowed way down on long form video production, especially since I truly don’t know what my future holds for me. Regardless, I do put something out on occasion. I am still working my way through the Laura Ingalls Wilder Country Cookbook and posted what she called Scalloped Corn Kansas. My friend said it was just corn pudding. It ended up tasting pretty good. Scalloped Corn Kansas can be seen here:
On August 17, we returned to court again. Again, little to nothing was accomplished to end this mess, nineteen months later. I did learn that we will go to trial on October 26. That was encouraging…until I was notified that I would have to give the acreage back to Tom until then. That was almost more than I could bear. It still hurts so terribly. Episode 99: A Crushing Blow can be seen here.
On a much lighter note, Dianna and I drove to Texas to see Kinzie. On the way down, we stopped in Corsicana to visit my sister for lunch. It was fitting that I had my best friend with me and my sister brought hers, too. Then we drove the rest of the way to Sealy. Because Kinzie, Lakota and his mother, Robin are working seven days a week, we only got snippets of time to visit, but I knew that when we drove down. It was truly wonderful to see my girl again. I think she relaxed a little more as our visit went on. She is still homesick, missing her friends, but she and Lakota make an excellent team and they are working hard to prove they are worthy of the restaurant they are running.
I will say that they fed us within an inch of our lives, especially the wonderful Italian dinner they made for us at the restaurant. I was married to an Italian for seven years and I am picky about my Italian food. It was truly delicious. If you are ever in Sealy, Texas, go by Joe’s Italian restaurant and tell the kids “Hi” as you chow down on the best Italian food around. (Yup, shameless plug. That’s what grandma’s are for).
On the way home, Dianna and I visited a couple that I had met at an event in Tennessee a few years ago. They were very kind to me as I had not packed warm enough sleeping gear for the climate and had loaned me a sleeping bag. It was good to reconnect with them and Dianna liked my friend’s wife as they both used to be nurses. I was glad for that.
We had unusually hot weather the past few days. Above 100 degree temps are normal in mid August, not September. At the same time, the air conditioner quit, with several days of not being able to repair it for lack of parts. A cool front with rain finally arrived, giving us a very nice break in the for a day or two as the temperatures creep back up again. Fans and a window unit have helped tremendously.
Another video that I finally got posted was Andy Payne Half Marathon. I am ashamed to say that it occurred in April and I am just now posting it. I was very proud of how that whole event turned out though and look forward to future half marathon starts here in Foyil.
It’s been good to catch up with you. I look forward to future updates to share. God bless!